Vaporized tobacco product and methods of use

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the present invention a method for tobacco delivery is provided comprising: providing tobacco; providing a first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first solution to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents; and vaporizing the tobacco solution. In other aspects of this embodiment the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises using a low temperature vaporization element to vaporize the tobacco and the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/234,560, filed Aug. 17, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Smokers of traditional tobacco products, for example, cigarettes, cigars and pipes, are finding that their use of these products has been significantly and seriously curtailed by smoking restrictions passed and enacted due to concerns about the public health dangers of second hand smoke, and potentially harmful chemicals found in the smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide.

Many of these smokers find other tobacco alternatives, for example, snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, tobacco tablets, tobacco lozenges and tobacco strips, to be unacceptable alternatives because of their taste, their inconvenience and/or their negative hygienic implications related to the need to chew, expectorate, swallow and/or otherwise dispose of the remnants of the used product.

Habitual smokers have grown accustomed to using traditional tobacco by igniting their products of choice and by taking the smoke through their mouths and either inhaling the smoke into their lungs or simply allowing the constituents of the tobacco smoke to remain in their mouths where it is absorbed in the soft tissues of the mouth, throat and nasal passages. Smoke inhaled or absorbed in this matter allows key tobacco constituents like nicotine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors to reach and affect the user's brain in as little as seven seconds. This method of inhalation and its accompanying effects is one of the reasons why the smoking of tobacco products may be considered addicting for some individuals. It is also the major reason why most smokers have difficulty changing to arguably safer and less intrusive tobacco products that do not require ignition or smoking.

Additionally, while there are current inventions that vaporize nicotine, like the “non-smoking electronic spray cigarette,” these products do not use actual fibrous tobacco and do not provide the user the effects of certain other desired tobacco constituents—actual tobacco flavor, aroma and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, in addition to nicotine.

An important constituent is the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (“MAOIs”). MAOIs are naturally found in tobacco and naturally occur in tobacco smoke. These constituents are also used in anti-depressants and are widely acknowledged to be mood elevators. There are tobacco scientists who believe that the lack of MAOIs in vaporized nicotine and in certain other nicotine products most commonly used in nicotine replacement therapies as a part of a smoking cessation program—gums, patches, lozenges and sprays—is a reason for the relatively low success rate of these products and therapies, even when compared to quitting “cold turkey.”

The fact that tobacco and tobacco smoke contain MAOIs is thought by some experts as the reason why there is such significant co-morbidity between smoking and certain mental illnesses, most notably clinical depression. The theory being that smokers with depressive tendencies or depressive psychopathologies smoke tobacco products as a method of self-medicating themselves with the naturally occurring anti-depressant MAOIs. And, the fact that no current nicotine replacement therapies contain or produce MAOIs explains, in part, their relative lack of success in getting people to effectively quit smoking traditional tobacco products.

Accordingly there is a need in the art for a more effective and safer tobacco delivery mechanism and methods of use for the same.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present invention a method for tobacco delivery is provided comprising: providing tobacco; providing a first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first solution to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents; and vaporizing the tobacco solution. In other aspects of this embodiment the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises using a piezoelectric element to atomize the tobacco solution without the addition of heat and the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco. In another aspect of this embodiment, the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer to vaporize the tobacco solution and the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.

In another embodiment of the present invention a tobacco solution for use in a vaporization delivery mechanism is provided comprising: water; alcohol; propylene glycol; and tobacco constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.

In another embodiment of the present invention a device for tobacco delivery is provided comprising: a first solution reservoir comprising a first solution; tobacco; a vaporization mechanism, wherein the solution is contacted with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents, and wherein the tobacco solution is then provided to the vaporization mechanism. In one aspect of this embodiment the vaporization mechanism comprises a piezoelectric element to atomize the tobacco solution without the addition of heat. In another aspect of this embodiment the vaporization mechanism comprises a low temperature element to vaporize the tobacco solution at a low temperature. In another aspect of this embodiment the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tobacco solution is provided prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing tobacco; providing a first solution comprising water, alcohol, and propylene glycol; contacting the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment, the step of contacting the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprises immersing the tobacco in the first solution for a time sufficient to extract the tobacco constituents from the tobacco. In another aspect of this embodiment, the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco. In another aspect of this embodiment, the first solution further comprises glycerin.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to fully understand the manner in which the above-recited details and other advantages and objects according to the invention are obtained, a more detailed description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a tobacco delivery method is provided comprising immersing fibrous tobacco in a solution such that the constituents of the tobacco will leach into the solution. The solution is then vaporized by conventional vaporization mechanisms and inhaled by the user.

Said embodiment can be configured to deliver an effective serving of desired tobacco constituents to a user. As used herein, desired tobacco constituent means one or more of tobacco flavor, aroma, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and nicotine. While an effective serving of tobacco constituents may vary depending upon the particular physiology of the user, for example, the user's weight or body make-up, as used herein, the phrase means an amount sufficient such that the user experiences the intended positive effects experienced when tobacco constituents are delivered through other known methods, such as smoking. For example, one activation of a device used with the current method can deliver the equivalent desired tobacco constituents from one puff from a typical tobacco cigarette. In other embodiments, one activation may be configured to deliver 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent of the desired tobacco constituents from one puff of a tobacco cigarette. Such embodiments are described as delivering a percentage of the effect serving of one or more desired tobacco constituents. In one aspect of this embodiment, the method delvers a specified percentage, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent, of tobacco flavor, aroma, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, nicotine, or any other target constituent or combination thereof, in a single serving. In one aspect of this embodiment the effective serving or portion thereof can be delivered in as little as one activation by the user, and in other aspects the effective serving or portion thereof may be delivered through multiple activations by the user over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more minutes of use in a manner similar to the use associated smoking a tobacco product such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe.

Alternatively, the effective serving or portion thereof can be delivered over a specified number of activations by the user. Further, the number of activations can occur over a specified time period. For example, delivery of an effective serving or portion thereof can be provided with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 activations. For example, the effective serving or portion thereof may be delivered in 1-20 activations, 5-15 activations, 12-20, activations, 12-18 activations or about 15 activations, any of which can occur in a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 20 minute period. Some embodiments will be formulated and/or configured such that the effective serving or portion thereof is delivered as quickly as possible, and other embodiments can be formulated and/or configured such that the effective serving or portion thereof is delivered in about the same time and manner as if one was smoking a typical tobacco cigarette to simulate a typical smoking experience.

In various embodiments, an effective serving or portion thereof may be delivered in less than 50 activations, about 1-50 activations, about 1-20 activations, 5-15 activations or about 8-10 activations. The effective serving or portion thereof may include greater than 0.5 mg, between about 0.5-100 mg, between about 0.5-50 mg, between about 0.5-20 mg between about 0.5-10 mg between about 5-10 mg, or about 5mg of tobacco solution.

The solution may be any solution sufficient to allow the constituents of the tobacco to leach or be extracted into the solution upon contact with the fibrous tobacco for a specified time period to form a tobacco solution. Examples of suitable solutions include one or more of water, alcohol, and an inert non-reactive compound, for example propylene glycol. The solution can comprise about 0.01%-20% water, 2-18% water, 5-15% water, or about 10% water, about 0.01%-20% alcohol, 2-18% alcohol, 5-15% alcohol, or about 10% alcohol, with the balance being propylene glycol. In another aspect of this embodiment, the solution further comprises glycerin, including from about 1-30%, 5-20%, 5-10%, or 10-15% glycerin.

Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the addition of glycerin provides a more robust vapor upon vaporization of the product and promotes the extraction or leaching of nicotine and other desirable components from the tobacco.

To promote the leaching or extracting of the constituents of the tobacco into the solution, various methods may be employed to contact the tobacco with the solution, including maximizing the surface area of the tobacco. In one embodiment the fibrous tobacco is formed in the shape of a mesh screen through which the solution is passed. In other configurations, the tobacco is formed to provide the maximum surface area for contact with the solution yet still allow flow of the solution through the fibrous tobacco and into a vaporization mechanism. Examples of other configurations for use in maximizing the surface area of the fibrous tobacco for contact with a solution include spirally wound tobacco, tobacco pellets, tobacco powder, or encapsulating the tobacco in a porous, filter-like material, which will allow the solution to flow through the tobacco-encapsulate and the constituents of the tobacco to leach into the solution. Leaching and/or extracting may also be promoted through modifying the temperature of the solution or the pressure under which the solution is contacted with the tobacco.

In some embodiments the solution and the tobacco are contacted immediately prior to vaporization. In other embodiments the solution and tobacco can be contacted over an extended period of time prior to vaporization. For example, the tobacco can be provided immersed in the solution such that the solution has been in contact with the tobacco for an extended period of time prior to vaporization. In said examples, the leaching or extraction of the tobacco constituents can be promoted by varying the conditions or other parameters during contact of the solution with the tobacco. The tobacco can be removed or substantially removed from the solution prior to providing the solution to the end consumer for inclusion in a device for vaporization, or immediately prior to vaporization by draining the solution from the tobacco.

The solution is then vaporized for inhalation by the user. One example of a mechanism that may be used to vaporize the solution is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/587,707 and 10/547,244, incorporated herein by reference. Other mechanisms may be used including atomizers or other vaporizers known in the art. Vaporization or atomization can be performed with or without the addition of heat to the solution. In one aspect a low temperature vaporizer is provided, including vaporization at temperatures from about 180° C. to about 280° C., from about 180° C. to about 250° C., from about 180° C. to about 225° C., from about 180° C. to about 200° C., wherein the temperature indicates the temperature at which the solution is vaporized. It is understood that the temperature of the vaporization element may be higher.

In another embodiment, a device for implementing the tobacco delivery methods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a mouthpiece, an air inlet provided on the external wall of the shell; a cell, an electronic circuit board, a normal pressure cavity, a sensor, an atomizer, a solution reservoir; a tobacco reservoir, a solution stream passage, a negative pressure cavity provided in the sensor, an atomization cavity arranged in the atomizer, and an aerosol passage, wherein the solution reservoir is in contact with the tobacco reservoir and the atomizer, and the air inlet, normal pressure cavity, atomizer, aerosol passage, gas vent and mouthpiece are interconnected.

In another embodiment, a device for implementing the tobacco delivery methods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a mouthpiece, an air inlet provided on the external wall of the shell; a cell, an electronic circuit board, a normal pressure cavity, a sensor, an atomizer, a solution reservoir; a solution stream passage, a negative pressure cavity provided in the sensor, an atomization cavity arranged in the atomizer, and an aerosol passage, wherein the solution reservoir is in contact with the atomizer, and the air inlet, normal pressure cavity, atomizer, aerosol passage, gas vent and mouthpiece are interconnected. The solution reservoir may be configured to retain solution and tobacco, or solution that has previous been contacted with tobacco.

In some embodiments the device is provided in the configuration of a cigar or cigarette. In other embodiments the device is provided in other configurations such that the device can be readily distinguished from a cigar or cigarette.

In some embodiments, the delivery device is a hand-held, personal, portable device that is disposable. Moreover, in some embodiments the method of vaporization does not use heat, rather it uses piezoelectric elements to atomize the tobacco solution.

Some embodiments provided herein produce a vapor containing the key constituents of tobacco that smokers find most appealing, comforting and satisfying without many of the harmful components created through burning the tobacco.

In another embodiment, a tobacco solution is provided for use in the methods and devices disclosed herein. The tobacco solution comprises actual tobacco constituents, including nicotine, flavor, aroma and MAOIs. The tobacco solution may be formed by contacting a solution as set forth herein with tobacco as set forth herein to form a tobacco solution. The concentration of the actual tobacco constituents of the tobacco solution can be varied by varying the method for making the tobacco solution. For example, one can vary the contact time between the solution and the tobacco, the temperature at which the contact occurs, or the pressure at which the contact occurs. The tobacco solution may be provided with or without tobacco in contact with the tobacco solution.

In another embodiment a disposable cartridge is provided comprising a tobacco solution or tobacco and a first solution as set forth herein. The cartridge can include one or more effective servings of tobacco constituents as set forth herein. In one aspect of this embodiment the cartridge can include between about 5-50 servings, between about 5-25 servings, between about 10-25 servings, between about 10-50 servings, between about 10-20 servings of tobacco constituents.

Accordingly, some embodiments herein provide smokers or other tobacco users with an easy-to-use, convenient tobacco product that will not produce second hand smoke while still delivering key tobacco constituents and effectively replicating traditional tobacco products.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments and examples, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and adaptations of the invention are possible without deviation from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A method for tobacco delivery comprising: providing tobacco; providing a first solution; contacting the tobacco with the first solution to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents; and vaporizing the tobacco solution.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first solution comprises an inert non-reactive compound.
 3. The method of claim 2 where the inert non-reactive compound comprises propylene glycol.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first solution further comprises water, alcohol and glycerin.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of vaporizing the tobacco solution comprises low temperature vaporization of the tobacco solution.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
 7. A device for tobacco delivery comprising: a first solution reservoir comprising a first solution; tobacco; a vaporization mechanism, wherein the solution is contacted with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents, and wherein the tobacco solution is then provided to the vaporization mechanism.
 8. The device of claim 7 where the vaporization mechanism comprises low temperature vaporization of the tobacco solution.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
 10. A tobacco solution prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing tobacco; providing a first solution comprising water, alcohol, and propylene glycol; contacting the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprising tobacco constituents.
 11. The tobacco solution of claim 10 wherein the step of contacting the first solution with the tobacco to form a tobacco solution comprises immersing the tobacco in the first solution for a time sufficient to extract the tobacco constituents from the tobacco.
 12. The tobacco solution of claim 10 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
 13. A tobacco solution for use in a vaporization delivery mechanism comprising: water; alcohol; propylene glycol; glycerin, and tobacco constituents.
 14. The tobacco solution of claim 13 wherein the tobacco constituents comprise nicotine and at least one monoamine oxidase inhibitor derived from tobacco.
 15. The tobacco solution of claim 14 wherein the tobacco constituents are derived by contacting the water, alcohol, propylene glycol and glycerin with tobacco.
 16. A device for tobacco delivery comprising: the tobacco solution of claim 13, a vaporization mechanism.
 17. The device of claim 16 where the vaporization mechanism comprises a low temperature vaporization element to vaporize the tobacco solution.
 18. A disposable cartridge for use in a tobacco delivery device comprising: a solution reservoir comprising a solution; and tobacco.
 19. The disposable cartridge of claim 18 where the tobacco comprises a mesh screen.
 20. The disposable cartridge of claim 18 wherein the tobacco comprises tobacco encapsulated in a porous filter. 